Davis, Pelicans finish strong, beat Hawks

Mar 21, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (23) dunks against the New Orleans Pelicans during the fourth quarter at Philips Arena. The Pelicans won 111-105.

Kevin Liles/Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports

ATLANTA (AP) — Anthony Davis had 34 points and 11 rebounds, New Orleans took the lead with a 12-0 run that began at the end of the third quarter and the Pelicans beat the Atlanta Hawks 111-105 on Friday night.

Tyreke Evans had 21 points for New Orleans, which completed a two-game sweep of the season series.

Davis set career highs with 40 points and 20 rebounds in New Orleans’ 121-120 overtime win over Boston on Sunday and then missed a loss to Toronto on Wednesday with a respiratory infection.

The Hawks’ five-game winning streak ended as they failed in a chance to move into a seventh-place tie with Charlotte in the Eastern Conference.

Led by Davis, the Pelicans outscored the Hawks 42-34 in the fourth period. With Davis scoring on three jams in the fourth quarter, the Pelicans made 12 of 16 shots from the field and 16 of 17 free throws in the period.

Brian Roberts had 16 points and Luke Babbitt had 11, while making three 3-pointers.

Hawks guard Kyle Korver was held out with back spasms which developed during pregame warmups. Shelvin Mack made his seventh start as Korver’s replacement and scored 18 points.

Mack’s 3-pointer at the end of the first half pulled Atlanta into a 44-44 tie. New Orleans led most of the half.

Atlanta used an 11-0 run, including seven points by Teague, to take its big lead at 67-60 in the third quarter.

Babbitt entered the game late in the third quarter and made a 3-pointer start a 12-0 run and cut the Hawks’ lead to 71-69 at the end of the period.

Babbitt opened the final period with another 3-pointer to give the Pelicans the lead. A steal and jam by Davis capped the run which left New Orleans with a 78-71 lead.

Babbitt’s driving basket and 3-pointer from the corner pushed the lead to 93-85. Davis added to the lead, grabbing a rebound of a miss by Babbitt with his right hand and jamming the ball on the same motion.

Korver’s injury also created an opportunity for Lou Williams to move back into the Hawks’ backcourt rotation after missing seven straight games, including one when he was not with the team.

New Orleans guard Eric Gordon did not return after hurting his left knee in the first quarter. Gordon warmed up before the start of the second half before the team announced he would not return. The Pelicans did not immediately release details on the severity of the injury.

NOTES: Williams had two points and two turnovers. … New Orleans blocked six shots, including two by Alexis Ajinca. … The Pelicans’ 42 fourth-quarter points were the most allowed in any quarter by Atlanta this season. … The Pelicans play host to Miami on Saturday as they open a four-game homestand. … The Hawks honored Robin Roberts, a former Atlanta TV sports reporter and host of ABC’s "Good Morning America," for her battle with myelodysplastic syndrome, a rare blood and bone marrow disease, and her efforts in promoting bone marrow donations.